Important components to create personal working alliances with clients in the mental health sector to support the...

Personligt ombud (PO) is a Swedish version of case management that aims to support individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Guidelines to the PO service emphasize the different role that the PO plays with respect to the relationship with clients. The aim of this study was to investigate the components that POs found to be important in the relationship with clients. Telephone interviews with 22 POs across Sweden were carried out. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The relationship with each client was described as the foundation of the POs' work; it was the only 'tool' they had. The findings were reflected in a main theme, which showed the importance of creating personal working alliances with each client where POs put the client at the center of the work and adjusted their support according to the client's needs at the time. Important components were that the PO and the client trusted each other, that the power between the PO and the client was balanced, and to be a personal support. Many of the components that POs found to be important are shown as essential in recovery-oriented services. POs followed the client in the process and remained as long as necessary and this is one way of bringing hope to the client's recovery process. However, the personal tone can be fraught with difficulties and to maintain professionalism, it is necessary to reflect, through discussions with colleagues, with the leader and in supervision.